Sweet & warm-hearted greetings of our prominent student from Bard College

March 4, 2015

 Aidai Kadyralieva is one of our exchange students currently studying at Bard College. She shared her experience about her semester - living and studying abroad with us.

“AUCA has a partnership with Bard College, New York State, USA. I have been dreaming to study at Bard since my freshman year. And three years later, my wish has come true!

For that, I participated in a competition organized for juniors of AUCA. I had to complete several applications, write three essays, and submit my official transcript and two recommendation letters from professors of the Anthropology Department. In October last year, I received the confirmation from Bard College that I was accepted for spring semester 2015 with full scholarship! So now, I am experiencing an exchange semester studying abroad.

Bard College made quite an impression on me! The atmosphere is very different from that at AUCA. English is everywhere: before classes, during classes and after classes, in the dining room, in my dormitory room, in different evening events and even at the gym. I have improved my speaking skills.

At Bard, every student is very dedicated. In the library, they don’t have fun, they study! The constant silence in the library is not a rule. It just happens because everyone is busy reading or writing a paper. Since I am here, I have started to spend a lot of time at the library. There, I can really focus on my studies, better than in my room.

Students and professors are very smart. Super smart! During the first week of classes, I felt as if I was still a freshman. Class discussions pushed me to study even harder. Now, I am actively participating during lectures and seminars.  

I am just studying twice per week: on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Because of the snow and the low temperature, transportation of Bard was cancelled. The College closed the entire Tuesday. I find it funny that Americans are so scared about the winter weather! Another surprising, unforgettable and amazing thing I experienced here is deer! I had never seen any before, but for locals, it is quite common. They were so cute and beautiful!

At first, I was surprised by the appearance of Bard students. Here, you can see all kinds of fashion style, any colors of hair and etc. Student at Bard express their individuality with what they wear. It was very unusual for me and a little bit shocking too, but now I got used to see such bright people.

There are a lot of differences between Bard College and AUCA. At Bard, there are 4 different computer labs; one of them works 24 hours per a day. In one semester, students are allowed to print more than 1000 pages! There is a very large and huge Stevenson Library - which consists of four floors - full of academic and useful, interesting and amazing books! I started to study a lot here, because it is a real pleasure to work hard in such conditions!

At Bard, most students live on the campus. For me, it is very convenient because I don’t have to spend a lot of time in transport after classes. Poor students of AUCA, especially international students! They spend 40 minutes to reach their dormitory, and they do not even know the city well! I am lucky!

Because everyone is unique here, I could not really feel the Bard’s spirit among students. They live apart from each other. Occasionally, during performances, songs and dances, I could feel their spirit, but not in everyday life.

I don’t have lectures in my classes, because we are supposed to be ready for each class as for seminars. We do have several guest lectures with authors from the books we have to read. It is a new experience for me to read the chapters of a book and talk with the writer. It is the opportunity to ask a lot of questions. In class, professors ask students to sit in circle. That way, everyone is able to see each other. It leads to active discussions, in which every student can participate!

Here, one of the best eating spots is Kline Commons! I am sure previous PIE students from AUCA will totally agree with me! There you can basically find everything: fruits, vegetables, salads, pizzas, first and second courses, main courses and toppings, desserts and various drinks! Kline Commons is a vast space, not comparable with our AUCA Kitchenette or Bravo… where I can have a real break with my friends!

Our gym is also a blast! It is huge! Students can do everything there: boxing, fencing, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, yoga, zumba, swimming or just go to the gym in order to keep in good shape! Hopefully, at AUCA, we will have the same.    

The atmosphere at Bard College is very friendly during classes, not only between students, but also between professors and their students. Everyone is willing to help, answer any questions. Even after office hours, a person from the administration will stay and try to help you. Everyone contributes in making it all very easy.

Plus, here, no one cares about how I look, what I wear, how I behave! Because of that, I have started to talk and participate during classes on my first week. Now, I am comfortable in sharing my ideas and opinions! And because the atmosphere is so friendly, I feel as a member of the Bard community already! Studying at Bard is hard, but also very interesting! Yes, we do read a lot, write a lot, but I like that learning process. In one week, we usually work 5 times more than in AUCA, which also means that we get to know things 5 times faster! 

As regard my non-academic life at Bard, I keep doing extra-curricular activities. I am a member of different dance clubs, such as Step Team Club, Swing Dance Club, Tango Club and Latin-American Dance Club. I was already familiar with the last two types of dance, and I wanted to improve my skills. Step and Swing dances are new for me. I want to learn these dances, and take these new dances back with me to AUCA. In Step Team, there are only African Americans – They call themselves Black unity. We practice twice a week, and I am always longing for the next training day. All are full of fun and of new dancing experience for me. Still, I feel that in order to become the best Step dancer, you should have African roots. You know, our movements are similar but with a very little and almost invisible difference. But even though, I am doing my best to learn Step dance! Recently, I had a workshop in Swing dance outside of Bard College, in Poughkeepsie - another city of New York State, 40 minutes away. It was an amazing evening with an orchestra and four professionals of Swing Dance. Trainers taught us basic movements and steps. Later, we were able to dance in couples! I really enjoy all my trainings! This how it is here, at Bard College: I can learn new dances and anthropology!

Bard’s students are divided into two groups. Either they cannot even pronounce “Kyrgyzstan”, properly or they already know a lot about it. This second group knows about Bishkek and our American University of Central Asia, probably because of previous PIE students from AUCA, who spent one semester here. Kyrgyzstan is always seen as an exotic country. We usually say that it is located near China and not far from Russia, and that it is why, Kyrgyz people look like Chinese and know how to speak Russian. This is so funny, but it helps them remember where we come from! Local students have a lot of questions about AUCA. They want to know how we study, who are our professors, what events we celebrate... They are also interested in our national language and religion, in our traditions and customs. When I tell them that we are five children in my family, and that I am the eldest, they are a little bit shocked (especially, my roommate from China).

When I say: “Hello! My name is Aidai, and I am an international exchange PIE student at Bard College from Kyrgyzstan!” I feel proud of my country and of my AUCA! I want to tell everyone about our beautiful country and amazing university! When abroad, you start to understand how much you love your own country, how wonderful your home country is and how dear it is to your heart! As long as I am here, I will let everyone know, who we are, the students of AUCA from Kyrgyzstan!

There are some curiosities at Bard College. Like the architecture! Most buildings are historical places with a very beautiful and old architecture. Some other buildings, such as our Fisher Center for theater and dance performances, are more recent. Its roof is very strange. When you stand near or under the roof, it seems as if something is wrong. I think it is due to its strange angle and shape.

Another peculiarity concerns the security. If you stay late at the library - it closes at 1 am - you can ask the security office to drive you to your dorm. It is normal and common here. I already used the security car. The funniest moment was when I had to spell my first and last name to the security office manager. Long Kyrgyz surnames are quite a challenge for Americans.

But the most amazing thing here is the number of students’ clubs: more than 150! They are about everything: debate, dancing, theater, singing, drawing, massage, sport, comedy, religion, gender issues and even international student organizations. Some perform every week, some go outside the campus, and some organize different exhibitions and competitions! Here, life is never boring. You attend classes with a lot of homework, and at the same time you can develop your social skills joining clubs! I really love Bard College!

Well, my dear and lovely students of AUCA! I have an advice for you: never give up! It was not easy for me to get here, but didn’t give up. I wish you the same! Apply to as many exchange program, conference or internship as you can! Do not hesitate and don’t be shy! Dream, act and just do your best! One day you will reach your goal, and realize all your thoughts and desires have become real!”

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